Brick's Fence Regulations: The Rules That Matter
Every city handles fence regulations a little differently. In Brick, New Jersey, there are 4 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.
Fence Permit Requirements
Brick Township requires a permit before erecting any fence, capping front-yard fences at four feet and side or rear fences at six feet, with stricter four-foot limits within 200 feet of the water.
Key details: Permit needed: Construction Official or Zoning Officer. Front-yard height limit: 4 feet. Side/rear height limit: 6 feet. Waterfront height limit: 4 feet within 200 feet. Street setback: 10 feet from pavement.
Erecting a fence without a permit is a code violation; Brick Township Code § 1-15 sets penalties up to $2,000, 90 days in jail, or 90 days of community service per offense, with each day counted separately.
Height Limits
Brick Township caps front-yard fences at 4 feet and side/rear fences at 6 feet, with an open-design requirement for fences near the water and a mandatory Construction Official permit for any fence.
Key details: Front yard height cap: 4 feet, open design only. Side/rear yard height cap: 6 feet. Waterfront fence (within 200 ft): 4 feet, open design. Corner lot sight triangle: 10 feet at 45°. Permit required: Yes, from Construction Official.
Building without the required permit, exceeding the height cap for the yard in question, or blocking the corner sight triangle is a zoning violation the Construction Official can cite and require correction of, including removal of noncompliant fencing.
Material Restrictions
Brick Township defines "fence or fencing" as any wood, masonry, plastic, metal, vinyl or aluminum structure and requires a Construction Official/Zoning Officer permit before installation, per Brick Township Code § 245-33.
Key details: Permitted materials: wood, masonry, plastic, metal, vinyl, aluminum. Permit required: Construction Official / Zoning Officer. Front-yard picket spacing: at least 2 inches apart. Front-yard picket width: no more than 3.5 inches. Governing section: Brick Township Code § 245-33.A/B.
Erecting a fence without a Construction Official/Zoning Officer permit, or in a material or design not covered by § 245-33.A, is a zoning violation subject to removal and the Township's general penalty provisions.
Retaining Walls
Brick Township requires an engineering permit and sealed drawings for any retaining wall over eight inches tall, plus a four-foot safety barrier once a wall exceeds 30 inches in height.
Key details: Permit threshold: Over 8 inches tall. Safety barrier required: Walls over 30 inches tall. Barrier height minimum: At least 4 feet high. Application requires: Sealed engineering drawings, calculations. Max penalty: $2,500 fine or 90 days.
Building without a permit or ignoring engineering requirements violates § 168-3, punishable by up to a $2,500 fine, 90 days' imprisonment, or both, with each day a separate offense.
The Bottom Line
Brick's fence regulations rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Brick is broadly strict or permissive.
Keep in mind that Brick can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.